Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to you! My family and I traveled down to Florida to visit my grandparents. It took us about 19 hours, but we made it. It was BEAUTIFUL on Christmas, sunny and high of 80 degrees. Christmas day consisted of going to mass, sharing gifts, going to the pool, enjoying a delicious dinner, and watching a movie. My Mom, Grandma, Chris, and I spent some of the afternoon at the pool (although I don't think that I got much sun, oh well). It was a great day with my family, hope you had a great day as well!


Christmas Day Pictures...

Mom, Me, and Grandma

Grandpa and Grandma

Family

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

Sign above the theater

I finally was able to see How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying! My Mom was nice to buy me tickets and come along with me :) We bought the tickets a couple months ago and I was anticipating it ever since. It was a 10 out of 10! It exceeded my expectations. Although we were seated in the second to the last row, we could see well and still enjoyed it. 

What to know more about it? Here is the description from the website:
"See acclaimed star DANIEL RADCLIFFE (Equus on Broadway, Harry Potter film series) and Tony® Award winner JOHN LARROQUETTE (Night Court, The Practice) make their Broadway musical debuts in this hilarious fable of executive dreams and office romance.

With the aid of a trusty self-help book How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, wily window washer J. Pierrepont Finch (Daniel Radcliffe) enjoys a riotous rise up the corporate ladder. Can he get the promotion, the corner office and the girl, or will he learn balancing business and pleasure can be precarious—but hilarious and oh, so much fun?"

Me

Mom

I got to see Daniel Radcliffe! I was so nervous that his understudy would be playing that night, but nope, it was him. He was fun to watch because he played such a silly character AND he sang. The only other time I have seen him act is on his serious act in Harry Potter. Overall, the play was funny and very entertaining. I would highly recommend seeing it! Darren Criss (from Glee) will be taking over Daniel Radcliffe's part starting January 2nd. I actually wouldn't mind seeing it again, it was that GOOD! 

Amazing Day in NYC!

Yesterday was quite a day in NYC! My Mom and I left the house early afternoon. The primary reason why we  went to NYC was because I really wanted to see How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying on Broadway which features Daniel Radcliffe (aka Harry Potter :) ) The play didn't start until 8 pm so we decided to go early and explore other parts of the city. 


We first wanted to check out Chelsea Market. Click here for more info. We walked which was about 2.5 miles, but it was nice outside (besides the little sprinkling). We walked around Chelsea Market and got to see lots of delicious food. We weren't hungry then, so we didn't eat there. The coolest thing was we saw Emma Stone (from Easy A, The Help) and her boyfriend Andrew Garfield (from the new Spider-Man)!!! I was walking inside and I saw Emma Stone eating lunch! I told my Mom and she said "No way!" I said "Yes!" and so we had to walk back to where they were sitting to check it out. I didn't know who the guy was but my Mom informed me it was Garfield her boyfriend. I wanted to take a picture, but I was too afraid. There was no one around them, so I didn't want to attract attention. I wonder how many people actually recognized them? I was surprised I actually did. It was very exciting. I had to walk pass them at least five times to get several looks. Ha! I even asked if we were going to see any famous people, and I did!!

Outside Chelsea Market

After Chelsea Market we headed to Little Italy and Chinatown to find a place to eat dinner. I had never been there before. We took the Subway for the first time and we were successful, although it's a little confusing. We ate at a restaurant called La Mela. It was delicious! 


After eating dinner we took the Subway to Rockefeller Plaza to see the giant Christmas tree. It was beautiful as usual. Lots of people were ice skating. Since we had some more time to spare until the play started, we stopped to get some drinks and a cupcake from Junior's. It was nice to sit outside, people watch, and enjoy some sweetness. 

Christmas tree in Rockefeller

Then it was finally time for the PLAY!! It was definitely a 10 out of 10. Check out this post about How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. 

Simple Potato Soup

I'm home for Christmas break! And you know what that means? It's cold here (and in the house especially). What's the best thing to eat when it's cold? SOUP, of course. Last night my mom suggested making some potato soup. I volunteered to make it since I love to cook. She said that she doesn't really use a recipe but the way she makes her potato soup was adapted from a recipe at some point. It is really easy to make it didn't take long at all. 


Simple Potato Soup
Ingredients:
8 potatoes skinned and cubed
6 cups water
6 bouillon cubes (chicken flavor) 
1 cup milk
pepper, dill, cumin (any spices you would like to taste)


Directions:
Boil the water and bouillon cubes in a large pot. Add the potatoes and spices. Stir and keep boiling. After about 15 minutes the potatoes should be soft. Use a spatula to mash the potatoes against the pot. Leave a few chunks of potatoes in the mixture. Turn the heat down and add the milk, stir. Turn the heat to low. Stirring occasionally let it sit on the stove for another 10 minutes. ENJOY! :) 


It tastes really good with some sprinkled cheese and saltine crackers. 


Serves 5. Time: 40 minutes

Princess of China (feat. Rihanna)

I got the newest Coldplay CD MyloXyloto from Scott for Christmas. It has some really great songs on it, including this one: Princess of China (ft. Rihanna).

Hi My Name is Rudolph

Last Friday, I was Rudolph the Red-nose Reindeer....well my hair was! I found this tacky Christmas hair on Pinterest (of course!) Here is the official blog I got the idea from: Princess Piggies. My awesome friend, Beth did it for me. 

Materials needed: 

LOTS of bobby pins (I believe there were 21 in my hair!)

Large Red pompom

2 googly eyes

Sock (for the sock bun) 

3 brown pipe cleaners

Hot glue gun to glue the nose and eyes to the bobby pins

LOTS and LOTS of hairspray 

Refer to the link about for instructions....

My friend's Erin and Beth posing with Rudolph

Festive Popcorn

For the Advent Party last night I made white-chocolate covered popcorn with M&M's that my mom has made several times. I think it's delicious and some other people at the party thought so well. (We also had Oreo Balls since those always seem to be a big hit) Below is the recipe for the popcorn.


Ingredients:
3 Popped bags of plain/salted popcorn
9 Blocks of Almond Bark vanilla
2 1/2 cups of red and green M&M's
2 Blocks of Almond Bark chocolate for drizzling (optional)
Wax paper, big bowl, baggie


Directions:
Melt the vanilla Almond Bark and mix in a big bowl with the popped popcorn. Stir really well to get all the pieces coated with vanilla. (It may feel like you are smashing the popcorn, but don't be afraid to stir hard!) Then mix in the M&M's. Stir well! Put the mixture on wax paper and spread out so it dries quickly and not in clumps. Melt the chocolate Almond Bark and spoon into a plastic sandwich baggie. Cut on corner and drizzle over the popcorn. It will probably take about 30-60 minutes for it to completely dry. Break apart and put in a bowl. Serve and enjoy :)

My friend Erin with the M&M's

YUMMM

Waiting in Joyful Hope

It's about time that I write a solid blog post! Last week and this week have been crazy, but it is almost over. Yesterday I gave three presentations and today I took two finals. Now all I have left are three finals next week. Then, it's home free! Can't wait to get home to celebrate Christmas and travel to Florida to visit my grandparents as well. Speaking of "can't wait" last weekend I went on retreat that was all about waiting or anticipating. 

A group of us from the Catholic Center stayed at cabins by Kentucky Lake. It was great to get away for a weekend. There were a total of five talks and I gave one of them. They were the introduction, God's plan for you/vocations, Chasity, Advent, and the second coming/heaven. Each one of them was thought-provoking and I felt like I grew closer to God and to the others girls on the retreat. I gave the God's plan/vocations talk for the girls. I enjoyed giving the talk and adding in some of my opinion as well. 


Here is a prayer that I like. I found it and decided to include it as my concluding prayer.

Almighty God, father God, God of great mercy. I love and am grateful I can come before you knowing you accept me as your child whom you love.  Thank you so much dear Jesus that you are with me where ever I go. Like a child in his mother's arms I come to you. Take ownership of me, guide me, prompt me, teach me, and instruct me dear God in the way I should go. May your great plan for my life be fulfilled so I may be closer to you. Thank you dear God for all you have done. Amen.

(Originally written on 12-9-11)

The Afters - Light Up The Sky

When I’m feeling all alone and so far to go
The signs are nowhere on this road guiding me home
When the night is closing in
It’s falling on my skin
Oh God will You come close


Light, light, light up the sky
Light up the sky to show me You are with me
I, I, I can’t deny
Oh I can’t deny that You are right here with me
You’ve opened my eyes so I can see You all around me
Light, light, light up the sky
Light up the sky to show me You are with me


When stars are hiding in the clouds
I don’t feel them shining
When I can’t see beyond my doubt
The silver lining
When I’ve almost reached the end
Like a flood You’re rushing in
Love is rushing in


Light, light, light up the sky
Light up the sky to show me You are with me
I, I, I can’t deny
Oh I can’t deny that You are right here with me
You’ve opened my eyes so I can see You all around me
Light, light, light up the sky
Light up the sky to show me You are with me


So I run straight to Your arms
You’re the bright and morning Sun
To show Your love, there’s nothing You won’t do


Light, light, light up the sky
You light up the sky to show me You are with me
I, I, I can’t deny
Oh I can’t deny that You are right here with me
You’ve opened my eyes so I can see You all around me
Light, light, light up the sky
Light up the sky to show me You are with me


Oh oh oh oh oh oh
You are with me
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
You are with me
Oh oh oh oh oh oh

Busy, Busy

I've been so busy these past few days that I haven't been able to update my blog. Well, considering I left my laptop charger at home, I have to go the library every time I need to use a computer! But I will put up some new posts soon! 

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm so happy to be home for Thanksgiving break and very thankful too! On Thanksgiving my mom and I went to Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. It was our second year going and I had fun! It was a little chilly, squishy with all the people, but it was all totally worth it. We got great spots this year and we deserved them since we left our house at 4:30!! There were some famous people in the parade I got to see including: Scotty Mccreey, Mary J. Blidge, Cee Lo Green, Neil Diamond, Avril Lavigne, Cobra Starship, and lots of cartoon characters. Also, there were lots of bands, floats, and of course GIANT Balloons! We arrived back home early afternoon and rested a little before our delicious Thanksgiving meal. We had turkey (of course!), macaroni and cheese, squash/apple salad, stuffing, and pecan pie for dessert. I will probably share some recipes of these because everything was so good! Happy Thanksgiving to you :)

Cee Lo Green 

Cobra Starship

Candy, Candy, and more Candy

I made all of my Christmas candy today to share with friends and family. I made four types of candy and two types of cookie/cracker. It took me several hours, but I enjoyed every minute! Check it all out!

All the yummy-ness!

1. Vanilla + raisins

2. Peppermint Bark = vanilla + crushed peppermints 

3. Green Vanilla Christmas trees and lights (melted chocolate and put into molds)

4. Heath + chocolate

5. Peanut Butter Cookies (click here for recipe)

6. Chocolate covered peanut butter crackers

Diet Coke Brownies, what?

I've been having a lot of fun lately looking on Pinterest and I can't get enough of it! I have been finding some cool ideas for food, crafts, and fashion. One recipe that I found on Pinterest is Diet Coke Brownies. I couldn't believe it when I saw it because it says the only ingredients are a box of brownies and a can of Diet Coke. So, I had to try it, right? Over the weekend, my friend Erin and I made them. They were "chocolatety" and gooey as ever (with that Diet Coke twist). You should try it yourself.

Ingredients:
1 Box of Brownies (13X9 pan size)
1 can of Diet Coke

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, whisk the ingredient together. You may have to let it sit for a minute between stirs because it bubbles up a lot. When completely mixed together, add to a non-stick sprayed 13 X 9 pan. Put in the oven for 30-35 minutes. Stick a toothpick to check and make sure it's cooked all the way through. Enjoy :)

The Adventures of Sean and Allison

This weekend was a lot of fun! I went to Cincinnati with my friend Erin to babysit my two cousins, Sean and Allison  Sean is 4 and Allison is 2. We were playing almost the whole time, from play-dough, to chasing them around the house to playing hide-and-seek. They were so cute and really good for us. We made a caterpillar cake for their mom's birthday. It was the same cake that I made with them last time I watched them. They loved to eat the icing and sprinkles more than they liked decorating. It was great to see them and I'm hoping I will get to see them again soon!

Finished caterpillar

Mmmm....yummy icing

Cheesin'

Sean and I had lots of fun with the YOUCAM

Feliz Navidad (muy temprano)

Geeze, it seems like just a few weeks ago I was updating my blog like every other day, and now it's almost been a week since I've posted anything last. Well today, I want to say a early Feliz Navidad or Merry Christmas!


Tuesday, there was an organization Christmas tree decorating contest. The Spanish Club had a tree and we had a lot of fun decorating in our ugly sweaters. Although we didn't win, I thought we had the best tree! How did we decorate it? Let me tell you:
Silver garland
Chili pepper ornaments
Christmas colored ball ornaments with Spanish Christmas words
Soft tortillas cut into snowflakes with glitter
Coffee bean frames with pictures of famous Hispanics
Big Red with a poncho, mustache, and sombrero
Poinsettias


We had a good time (like Spanish Club always does!) :)


Enjoy the pictures

Bigotes (mustaches)

Awesome tree!

The girls with Big Red

El Grupo

Matt Wertz - Everything's Right

I like this song! It comes up on my Pandora a lot. I thought I'd share it with you :)

Semester Madness

ONLY TWO WEEKS UNTIL THANKSGIVING!!! I keep telling this to myself because I have so much going on. I have 5 projects/papers/presentations due after Thanksgiving Break. So now until finals I might feel like I will have no life. All but one is a group project so it's hard to find time and get everything coordinated. I enjoy all my classes this semester, but I'm sure going to be glad when all this work is over!

I'm excited for Thanksgiving because:
1. Get to see my family (since August!)
2. Home-cooked food
3. Making Christmas candy
4. Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC!! :)
5. Shopping (Possibly?)
6. Time to sit, relax, and take a deep breath.
7. Sleeping in

Things I don't want to think about:
1. Audiology paper and presentation
2. Phonetics paper and presentation
3. Normal Language observation, interview, video, and presentation
4. Anatomy presentation
5. Spanish Debate

Plus all the final exams...geeze!

I know I will make it. I just need to pace myself, fit in some fun, and pray. I'm praying for all those other college students out there as well.

Selena Gomez & The Scene - Love You Like A Love Song

I'm not a huge fan of Selena Gomez, but I can't get enough of this song!

Saints and Souls

Yesterday was the Feast of All Saints and today is the Feast Day of  All Souls. I went to mass both days and learned more about each one. I was able to spend extra time with God and praying. I found this article from Catholic Online that shares Pope Benedict's address on All Saints Day. I thought it was very thought provoking and I thought I would share some of it with you....


"Today we venerate this countless community of All Saints, who, through their different walks of life, show us different paths to holiness, united by a common denominator: to follow Christ and adhere to Him, the ultimate goal of our human life. In fact, all states of life may become, by the action of grace and with the commitment and perseverance of each one of us, a path to sanctification. " (Addressing All Saints)

"The Commemoration of All Souls, tomorrow, November 2nd, helps us to remember our loved ones who have left us, and all the souls on their way to the fullness of life, on the horizon of the Heavenly Church, which today's solemnity holds on high.

"From the early days of the Christian faith, the Church on earth, recognizing the communion of the whole mystical body of Jesus Christ, has honored the memory of the dead with great respect and paid suffrage to them. Our prayer for the dead is not only useful but necessary, because it not only can help them, but at the same time renders effective their intercession on our behalf." (Addressing All Souls)

Spring 2012 Classes

Want to know what my semester is going to look like in Spring 2012? Take a look!
CourseID Course Title Hours Days Time Location Instructor CD 478 -001 CLINICAL ISSUES AND TREATMENT 3.00 M  8:30 am - 9:30 am CEC 0115 Debbie B. Parsley CD 483 -001 ARTICULATION DISORDERS 3.00 MW  11:10 am - 12:30 pm CEC 0115 Leisa S. Hutchison CD 485 -001 DIAG PROCEDURES COMM DIS 3.00 MW  9:35 am - 10:55 am CEC 0115 Mary L. Moore CD 486 -001 LANGUAGE DISORDERS 3.00 TR  9:35 am - 10:55 am CEC 0115 Leisa S. Hutchison CD 487 -001 AURAL REHABILITATION 3.00 TR  12:45 pm - 2:05 pm CEC 0115 Jeffrey A. Barefoot SPAN 455 -001 HON TOPIC: HISP INTERVEN PROJ 3.00 TR  2:20 pm - 3:40 pm FAC 0262 Sonia E. Lenk
Happy Halloween (by the way!)

Hi My Name is Erin and I'm a Tetris Piece

Last night I went to an awesome Halloween party at the Newman Center. It was so much fun! I went as a Tetris piece and I connected with three other people. I didn't wear it too long because I couldn't sit, eat, or really do anything else but walk (slowly) in the costume. I think a lot of people thought our costume was creative. A lot of people had creative costumes.We played musical chairs, bobbed for apples, and got our groove on. Below are some pictures. Enjoy :) Happy Halloween!

Erin as Cinderella, Beth as Bad School Picture, and Me (without my costume on)

TETRIS!! (Me, Scott, Eric, and Amy)

Sam and Jordan are bobbing for apples- too funny!

Bryant and Amanda as Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy from Spongebob

John as Titanic and Hannah as an Iceberg

Sweet Halloween Mix

It's Halloween Time! This weekend I am going to a Halloween party so I wanted to make some kind of Halloween snack/dessert. I found a similar recipe on Picky Palate, and adapted it a little bit. I decided to call it Sweet Halloween Mix. 

Ingredients:

4 cups Honey Chex Cereal

24 oz package Almond Bark (melt-able vanilla)

1 1/2 cups M&M's candy corn white chocolate (or candy corn)

1 1/2 cups dry roasted peanuts

2 1/2 cups mini pretzels

Mix together the Chex, M&M's, peanuts, and pretzels in a big bowl. Melt the chocolate in a separate bowl. Add the chocolate to the dry mix. Gently stir until well coated then pour onto wax paper to dry.  Once dried, break up into pieces and put into a bowl or individually wrapped baggies. ENJOY :)

Makes about 10 cups

Ingredients

Dry Mixture

Adding the melted chocolate

Mixing it all up

Final product, it's super yummy and addicting, you should try it! :)